New York Comic-Con: PlayStation’s ‘Powers’ Series Unveil First Trailer (Video)

Here’s our first look at the new live-action PlayStation series that puts a superhero spin on the cop genre. The first trailer for Powers was unveiled today during the show’s panel at New York Comic-Con. We hear Christian Walker (Sharlto Copley) talking about how he used to be able to fly, “but I lost my powers, so they gave me a badge.” He is teamed Deena Pilgrim (Susan Heyward), a “real” detective who wants to learn how a “Power” thinks.

Heyward was among the cast members at today’s NYCC panel, along with Olesya Rulin (Calista, who will be portrayed as older than the child in the books), Eddie Izzard (Wolfe), Noah Taylor (Johnny Royalle) and Logan Browning (Zora) and co-creator Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, writer and artist, respectively, of the Powers graphic novels.

“A British friend criticized me for saying ‘awesome’ too much,” said Oeming. “It should be reserved for heaven’s wings opening its way into the universe, but I can really say this is awesome.”

Combining the genres of superhero fantasy, crime noir and police procedural, Powers, produced by Sony Pictures TV, is set in a world full of people with superhuman abilities and where all of those powers are just another catalyst for mayhem and murder. It follows detectives Walker and Pilgrim, who are assigned to protect humans like us and investigate cases involving Powers, people with superhuman abilities who glide through the sky on lightning bolts and fire and clash above cities in epic battle, oblivious to the mortals below.

Not many details about the series were revealed during the Comic-Con panel, but Bendis earned cheers when he announced that he’ll be writing some episodes. The crowd also heard that some of Oeming’s art from the comics will be worked into the series. Bendis also said the show would be the equivalent of an R rating for a film — “sometimes a hard R,” he noted, and that the TV show will start with the first book in the series but won’t be exactly the same. It doesn’t follow the opening of the comic from the first year, but it follows other parts. There will be flashbacks into Walker’s life like in the comic in episode 5.”We don’t want word-for-word adaptations,” Bendis said. “We want the show to be its own entity. The books are the books, and we’re proud of them and will continue to make them. What Charlie did is cherry-pick the best stuff from the books and make the TV show.” Added Izzard: “We’re not trying to be an interpretation; we’re going to be an impression.” Said Oeming: “With the comics we’re starting with No. 1 again. I know it may be frustrating for some longtime fans, but it’s good to introduce us.”

The panelists also revealed that the first episode will be available free for all PlayStation users. Quipped Izzard: “I believe heroin dealers do the same.”